Consolidate and protect

Moving into the virtual environment

The precision engineering company was quick to recognise the ways in which it could benefit from virtualisation. In an effort to consolidate its servers and cut its operating expenses, it decided to move its Microsoft Exchange, its Microsoft SharePoint and its Microsoft Dynamics NAV enterprise resource planning system into the virtual environment.

Batten & Allen needed to figure out an efficient, reliable and cost-effective way to back up and recover the data, so it called on its long-term integration partner Softcat for advice.

Optimised data protection

Softcat suggested using Symantec Backup Exec – a proven, flexible, user-friendly solution that would be an excellent fit for Batten & Allen’s needs. The IT provider then proceeded to help its client with the implementation.

A major benefit of the solution is the optimised data protection it offers for the Windows Small Business Server environment. And Batten & Allen was also keen to take advantage of a deduplication function, saving money by reducing the size of the backup storage it needs. The solution also provides ‘granular recovery’, so that Batten & Allen can quickly restore individual email messages, rather than the Exchange application in its entirety.

Backup Exec also provides centralised set-up, reporting, and patch management, which reduces the support burden.

In addition to Backup Exec, Softcat helped Batten & Allen to roll out Symantec Endpoint Protection 12.1 to defend against attacks on 29 clients and six physical and virtual systems. It protects against viruses, worms, Trojans and spyware, and reduces administrative overhead by preventing security outbreaks.

Lower storage costs

Using the solution that Softcat implemented, Batten & Allen expects to achieve deduplication rates of more than 16 to 1 and significantly reduce the amount of disk and tape storage it needs.

One unified console gives the company integrated deduplication, granular restore, open file protection, disaster recovery, and backup protection for its Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Exchange, SharePoint, SQL and Windows systems. It also has comprehensive data protection for its VMware environments.

Project profile

• Symantec Backup Exec 2010
• Deduplication option
• Agents for VMware Virtual Infrastructure, Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Exchange
• Symantec Endpoint Protection 12.1

"We expect to achieve deduplication rates of more than 16 to 1 with Backup Exec. That will lead to a significant reduction in our demand for disk and tape storage."
Steve Smith IT manager, Batten & Allen

"Softcat’s expert team understood exactly what we were trying to achieve, while simultaneously introducing us to new functionality like deduplication and agents and options that enhance and extend platform and feature support."
Steve Smith IT manager, Batten & Allen